Commodity OnlineAHMEDABAD: In a move aimed at increasing production of pulses, Dantiwada Agriculture University has developed new varieties of tur and moong, which promise higher yield to farmers.

The university has also developed a new variety of urad. Talking about the new varieties developed by its research centres, S B S Tikka, director of research, Dantiwada Agriculture University, said the scientists have developed new varieties of tur and moong called Gujarat Tur Hybrid-1 (GTH-1) and Gujarat Moong-4 (GM-4) respectively.

Giving more details about the new varieties, Suresh Acharya, principal scientist (Pulses), said the GTH is the first CGMT-based variety of tur in the world and it provides 32 per cent higher production.

Not only that, the new variety will also help farmers increase per hectare earnings. According to Acharya, per hectare cost of sowing works out to be Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000 and farmers can earn up to Rs 1 lakh per hectare by using this new hybrid tur seeds.

“We have lower production of pulses and have to import 2 to 2.5 million tonnes of pulses,” he said, adding, “The new variety will help us strengthen seed sector.” The Seed Release Committee has already approved the variety and currently it is awaiting notification from the Central government.

Tur is basically grown in tribal districts of Gujarat and tribals do not have access to hybrid seeds. Considering this, the university has plans to supply this new variety of tur to tribal areas so that tribals can increase their income as well.

On the new variety of moong called Gujarat Moong-4, he said it has 21.5 per cent protein as against the 20 to 20.5 per cent protein in existing varieties.The new variety of moong can be sown in summer and kharif seasons and it promises 40 per cent higher production. Apart from this, the university has also developed new varieties of urad.